1.Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph. We are in the state of New York in the beginning of the 1980s during the AIDS epidemic. The locations of the play vary from Dr. Emma’s office, Ned’s house, Ben’s law office, etc. depending on where Ned is in the play is usually when the location of the play will be. We get a wide range of men introduced and the one thing that they all have in common is that they have a man that they care for and are worry about their health and/or have a man in their life that have died and want the government to do something about the AIDS epidemic 2. What is the intrusion? The intrusion that keeps the story going is the realization of the amount of deaths that are occurring in the play very early on. This essentially become the motivation for Ned and many others to be brave enough in their choices within the play to get the word out about AIDS. Ned, being the more outspoken character, become angrier and slightly irrational in his choices while others simply become more active in GMHC. 3. What is the unique factor? The unique factor is the love affair that Ned develops for Felix. For being the character who has never had a male lover, his character changes from being slightly detached to now living a life with love and purpose beside fighting for the life of humanity. To add to this having Felix being diagnosed with AIDS which adds a whole lot more at stake for both Felix and Ned. 4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play? Will Felix live another year with Ned? Will the United States recognize the national crisis that’s killing its very own people? Will Dr. Emma earn the research grant to do more research into the cancer? Will Ned’s brother join the GMHC board of directors?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it. Dr. Emma to Ned: When Dr. Emma opens up about her polio diagnoses and her reason for being in a wheelchair Dr. Emma to the gay community: At the beginning of the play, that the cancer is a sexual transmitted disease
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be. This one is debatable but the moment when we find out that Felix is infected with AIDS for this was completely unexpected and the worst fear that Ned could ever imagine turning out to be a reality for him. This raises the stakes for Ned tremendously for when trying to get the word out about the AIDS epidemic. 7. List some of the themes of the play. Democracy by literal definition is “rule by the people”, not the “preferred, white heterosexuals of a society”, so rule for the sake of all not for ones you associate with. Love is found in all shapes and sizes and it’s a truly a beautiful thing. When you care about something and if you set your mind to it, progress will be made, every time. 8. What does Ned want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of his getting what he wants? Ned wants the United States government to recognize this very contagious cancer and start taking diplomatic actions to find a cure and/or set public health awareness on a national level. The obstacles that get in his way are 95% of society that view gay people as lesser human beings and don’t deserve the treatment needed to live, the government for they are not recognizing this diseases that is killing people by the day, the medical research committees that are preventing funds to funneled into research into AIDS, and the GMHC that are viewing Ned’s actions are too aggressive for their taste. On an emotional level its Felix’s diagnoses that are preventing Ned for finding hope for his own future happiness for his is about to lose the only thing he has ever wanted in life. 9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play. To me the lesions represent the past of no return for the men seen with the lesions and the defeat of battling this cancer .. that’s about the only thing I can honestly see in this play. 10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play. Family in this case is a community of the outcasts that have been tormented for their natural inclination of being with men. This particular family is fueled with immense amount of love and support that is very similar a typical “traditional” American family. This family does everything in their power to fight for their right to be heard and recognized in this very repressive society that honestly is still a problem to this day.
We are in the state of New York in the beginning of the 1980s during the AIDS epidemic. The locations of the play vary from Dr. Emma’s office, Ned’s house, Ben’s law office, etc. depending on where Ned is in the play is usually when the location of the play will be. We get a wide range of men introduced and the one thing that they all have in common is that they have a man that they care for and are worry about their health and/or have a man in their life that have died and want the government to do something about the AIDS epidemic
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion that keeps the story going is the realization of the amount of deaths that are occurring in the play very early on. This essentially become the motivation for Ned and many others to be brave enough in their choices within the play to get the word out about AIDS. Ned, being the more outspoken character, become angrier and slightly irrational in his choices while others simply become more active in GMHC.
3. What is the unique factor?
The unique factor is the love affair that Ned develops for Felix. For being the character who has never had a male lover, his character changes from being slightly detached to now living a life with love and purpose beside fighting for the life of humanity. To add to this having Felix being diagnosed with AIDS which adds a whole lot more at stake for both Felix and Ned.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
Will Felix live another year with Ned? Will the United States recognize the national crisis that’s killing its very own people? Will Dr. Emma earn the research grant to do more research into the cancer? Will Ned’s brother join the GMHC board of directors?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
Dr. Emma to Ned: When Dr. Emma opens up about her polio diagnoses and her reason for being in a wheelchair
Dr. Emma to the gay community: At the beginning of the play, that the cancer is a sexual transmitted disease
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
This one is debatable but the moment when we find out that Felix is infected with AIDS for this was completely unexpected and the worst fear that Ned could ever imagine turning out to be a reality for him. This raises the stakes for Ned tremendously for when trying to get the word out about the AIDS epidemic.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Democracy by literal definition is “rule by the people”, not the “preferred, white heterosexuals of a society”, so rule for the sake of all not for ones you associate with. Love is found in all shapes and sizes and it’s a truly a beautiful thing. When you care about something and if you set your mind to it, progress will be made, every time.
8. What does Ned want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of his getting what he wants?
Ned wants the United States government to recognize this very contagious cancer and start taking diplomatic actions to find a cure and/or set public health awareness on a national level. The obstacles that get in his way are 95% of society that view gay people as lesser human beings and don’t deserve the treatment needed to live, the government for they are not recognizing this diseases that is killing people by the day, the medical research committees that are preventing funds to funneled into research into AIDS, and the GMHC that are viewing Ned’s actions are too aggressive for their taste. On an emotional level its Felix’s diagnoses that are preventing Ned for finding hope for his own future happiness for his is about to lose the only thing he has ever wanted in life.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
To me the lesions represent the past of no return for the men seen with the lesions and the defeat of battling this cancer .. that’s about the only thing I can honestly see in this play.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
Family in this case is a community of the outcasts that have been tormented for their natural inclination of being with men. This particular family is fueled with immense amount of love and support that is very similar a typical “traditional” American family. This family does everything in their power to fight for their right to be heard and recognized in this very repressive society that honestly is still a problem to this day.